My grandfather passed away peacefully yesterday at 11 am. He was a wonderful, wonderful man, and I hope that he continues to pray for me in heaven just as he did here on earth.
As you can imagine, things have been chaotic this past week with family coming to town and lots of visiting. I'm so grateful that I'm off from work right now, because I am more available to help my mom and was able to visit the Hospice at my whim. The caveat being that I always have a newborn in tow, but still, I'm glad for this current flexibility.
When I first started my leave, I made up this ambitious schedule for myself. I liked my work routine, and didn't want to allow myself to wallow in postpartum depression without a regular routine as solace like I did after I delivered Henry. I figured I could be all anally organized and have different tasks for each day of the week. One day I could do laundry, another I could alternate mopping the kitchen floor and the side hallway, another I could weed the garden, another I could do general cleanup house maintenance, and the last weekday I could reserve for whatever came up and needed my attention and possibly grocery shop. Mike cleans the bathrooms, vacuums and dusts (yes, I know how lucky I am).
Well. HA! For one thing, a single laundry day. *gauffaw* We do laundry 5 to 6 days a week. We could start a rating system for Anne's spit up events. "That one had some air under it, much higher degree of difficulty. And I think it traveled a full 5 inches before making contact with the couch." Sometimes, each of us needs 2 full outfit changes in a day, and that doesn't include Anne, who has many, many more.
And the floors? Oh good Lord. I'm ashamed to admit that since the week after Anne was born, I haven't gone near the floor with a mop. I've swept, and we keep up with the vacuuming of the rugs, but the mopping gets sadly neglected.
And weeding? In Tiffany versus The Weeds: Weeds 10, Tiffany 0.
I do keep the house picked up, I can't help it, that's something that I obsess over. And we squeeze the grocery shopping in where we can. That's the extent of my housework. The rest of the time, I'm nursing Anne or otherwise doing Anne-maintenance. And to add to the fray, yesterday was Henry's last day of school. So I now have him in tow, too. Much, much fun being had over at the house of the Catholic Librarian. :)
Showing posts with label housework. Show all posts
Showing posts with label housework. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Monday, April 12, 2010
Spring cleaning and gardening, oh joy!
So, I'm back and crazy busy (read: stressed) at work, but I figured, hey. I need a break, right? So here I am, blogging :)
I loved my time off. I really, really needed a breath of fresh air away from work, and I'm so glad that I took those vacation days to be at home, and to be with Henry. I miss my precious button so much today! I loved being with him for 4 straight days :(
Anyway, in terms of my spring cleaning quest, I awoke Thursday morning with a mission: I made a to-do list. *drum roll*...
(1) Straighten basement. *snorts* The basement, as everyone who has one knows, is the repository for all junky items of mysterious origin and things we generally have no idea what to do with. I was actually able to make a dent. I threw some things away and tucked some things that we want to keep into a storage closet down there and it looks much neater. *beams*
(2) Clean out guest room closet. Yeah, didn't get done.
(3) Clean out kitchen junk drawers. Check! We're down to a single junk drawer now. *angels sing*
(4) Go through both my and Hank's closets and drawers to collect items we don't need anymore to donate. Check! This was my big coup for the weekend.
(5) Clean out bathroom vanity things. Check!
(6) Touch up paint where needed. Check!
I was very pleased with how that all went. And all the while, Hank behaved like a dream, playing quietly nearby and being the sweetest boy ever. Because I just wrote that, I'm certain that I'm going to go home from work today and he'll throw an uninterrupted temper tantrum from 5 pm until he goes to bed, but hey. I'm willing to live on the wild side.
Yesterday, the weather was nice enough for us to head out to the yard to start on spring cleanup out there. Inevitably, after the winter, there is assorted crud that needs to be cleaned up from the grass and other shrubbery. I'm all excited, because this year, I'd like to plant a real vegetable garden.
Last year, we planted tomatoes, and had some success with a few minor hiccups. We bought 3 beefsteak tomato plants, and Mike planted them unsupervised, which was a bit of a mistake :) He planted them real.close.together, and they tangled up each other, as well as the bell pepper plants that he also planted by.their.side. We got an overabundance of tomatoes, but the peppers sadly had the life choked right out of them before they ever had a chance. The tomatoes, though wild in their growth, turned out beautiful, we just had way too many of them. I could have opened up a tomato stand on our front lawn and made a tidy extra income.
This year, I'd like less tomatoes overall, but still some of the beefsteak and grape varieties, as well as also peppers (I'll take care of you this year, my peppers; how I love you in my recipes...) of all colors, lettuce, maybe broccoli, perhaps beans. A 'salad garden', really. I'm going to pick up a reference book from the public library this week to help me get started with some seeds, coming to a backyard near me in the coming weeks.
So, yesterday, we headed out armed with rakes to begin our project. Hank and Mike got back from a trip to the hardware store with a rake just Hank's size that was so cute I could hardly stand it. We all raked, and then while Mike cut the grass, Hank and I weeded. He was getting bored, so I got him a little garden shovel to dig for worms while I worked.
Quickly, our adventure turned into an installment of Zee's Garden on Nick Jr.:
"Look Mommy, a WORM!"
"Oh, very nice, Honey. Make sure you leave him in there. He's good for our dirt."
"Oh, he's wiggling. Oh, he's slimy. Want to touch him, Mommy?"
"No, thank you, Sweetie. I see him though, you did a good job of finding him. Why don't you put him back in the dirt; that's his home. We don't want to wave the worm around too much."
"Ok, Mommy. Where is he going, Mommy?"
"Worms like to be real far down in the dirt, Honey. He's just digging deeper."
"Oh yeah, wow. He's going really fast. I help him, Mommy. I'll put some dirt on top of him."
"I'm sure he'll appreciate that, Honey."
We got the back and side areas all weeded, which pleased me greatly. I'd like to plant the garden in the back, since we have a bunch of unused space back there. Unfortunately, that area seems to be near the nest of the resident bunny family, because I always see cottontail rabbits back there. Now, granted, those guys are so cute it makes me want to head out to the backyard and just kiss their little faces. Problem is, well, they'd hate that. Plus, they're an absolute menace to personal gardens. We managed to fend them off the tomatoes last year with some carefully positioned marigolds nearby, but the back of the yard may pose a problem that even marigolds can't solve. The bunnies just run rampant back there. They're so precious, with their little tails just starting to fluff. Yet, they'd eat my vegetables in a heartbeat. And then, I wouldn't feel nearly so motherly towards them. *eyes narrow*
Speaking of mothering, later that day, Hank once again asked me if we would soon have "a baby in our home." Couldn't you just die? Of course, I told him that we're hoping so, should God send one our way. He adds:
"Mommy, could the baby sleep in my room? That way, I could keep an eye on her."
I could have just burst right into tears at how sweet he was being. *hormones rage* If only we could find a way for Hank to lactate, then my job would be so much easier.
I loved my time off. I really, really needed a breath of fresh air away from work, and I'm so glad that I took those vacation days to be at home, and to be with Henry. I miss my precious button so much today! I loved being with him for 4 straight days :(
Anyway, in terms of my spring cleaning quest, I awoke Thursday morning with a mission: I made a to-do list. *drum roll*...
(1) Straighten basement. *snorts* The basement, as everyone who has one knows, is the repository for all junky items of mysterious origin and things we generally have no idea what to do with. I was actually able to make a dent. I threw some things away and tucked some things that we want to keep into a storage closet down there and it looks much neater. *beams*
(2) Clean out guest room closet. Yeah, didn't get done.
(3) Clean out kitchen junk drawers. Check! We're down to a single junk drawer now. *angels sing*
(4) Go through both my and Hank's closets and drawers to collect items we don't need anymore to donate. Check! This was my big coup for the weekend.
(5) Clean out bathroom vanity things. Check!
(6) Touch up paint where needed. Check!
I was very pleased with how that all went. And all the while, Hank behaved like a dream, playing quietly nearby and being the sweetest boy ever. Because I just wrote that, I'm certain that I'm going to go home from work today and he'll throw an uninterrupted temper tantrum from 5 pm until he goes to bed, but hey. I'm willing to live on the wild side.
Yesterday, the weather was nice enough for us to head out to the yard to start on spring cleanup out there. Inevitably, after the winter, there is assorted crud that needs to be cleaned up from the grass and other shrubbery. I'm all excited, because this year, I'd like to plant a real vegetable garden.
Last year, we planted tomatoes, and had some success with a few minor hiccups. We bought 3 beefsteak tomato plants, and Mike planted them unsupervised, which was a bit of a mistake :) He planted them real.close.together, and they tangled up each other, as well as the bell pepper plants that he also planted by.their.side. We got an overabundance of tomatoes, but the peppers sadly had the life choked right out of them before they ever had a chance. The tomatoes, though wild in their growth, turned out beautiful, we just had way too many of them. I could have opened up a tomato stand on our front lawn and made a tidy extra income.
This year, I'd like less tomatoes overall, but still some of the beefsteak and grape varieties, as well as also peppers (I'll take care of you this year, my peppers; how I love you in my recipes...) of all colors, lettuce, maybe broccoli, perhaps beans. A 'salad garden', really. I'm going to pick up a reference book from the public library this week to help me get started with some seeds, coming to a backyard near me in the coming weeks.
So, yesterday, we headed out armed with rakes to begin our project. Hank and Mike got back from a trip to the hardware store with a rake just Hank's size that was so cute I could hardly stand it. We all raked, and then while Mike cut the grass, Hank and I weeded. He was getting bored, so I got him a little garden shovel to dig for worms while I worked.
Quickly, our adventure turned into an installment of Zee's Garden on Nick Jr.:
"Look Mommy, a WORM!"
"Oh, very nice, Honey. Make sure you leave him in there. He's good for our dirt."
"Oh, he's wiggling. Oh, he's slimy. Want to touch him, Mommy?"
"No, thank you, Sweetie. I see him though, you did a good job of finding him. Why don't you put him back in the dirt; that's his home. We don't want to wave the worm around too much."
"Ok, Mommy. Where is he going, Mommy?"
"Worms like to be real far down in the dirt, Honey. He's just digging deeper."
"Oh yeah, wow. He's going really fast. I help him, Mommy. I'll put some dirt on top of him."
"I'm sure he'll appreciate that, Honey."
We got the back and side areas all weeded, which pleased me greatly. I'd like to plant the garden in the back, since we have a bunch of unused space back there. Unfortunately, that area seems to be near the nest of the resident bunny family, because I always see cottontail rabbits back there. Now, granted, those guys are so cute it makes me want to head out to the backyard and just kiss their little faces. Problem is, well, they'd hate that. Plus, they're an absolute menace to personal gardens. We managed to fend them off the tomatoes last year with some carefully positioned marigolds nearby, but the back of the yard may pose a problem that even marigolds can't solve. The bunnies just run rampant back there. They're so precious, with their little tails just starting to fluff. Yet, they'd eat my vegetables in a heartbeat. And then, I wouldn't feel nearly so motherly towards them. *eyes narrow*
Speaking of mothering, later that day, Hank once again asked me if we would soon have "a baby in our home." Couldn't you just die? Of course, I told him that we're hoping so, should God send one our way. He adds:
"Mommy, could the baby sleep in my room? That way, I could keep an eye on her."
I could have just burst right into tears at how sweet he was being. *hormones rage* If only we could find a way for Hank to lactate, then my job would be so much easier.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Spring cleaning...
This time of year always brings out the busy bee part of my Type A personality. The snow melts, and I'm itchin' to plow through my basement. Before we went to New Jersey, I managed to have my way with the refrigerator, so that's one seasonal chore done. But many to go.
For the rest of the week, blogging will be sparse to none, since Hank has an "option week" at Pre-K, meaning that if we signed him out for any day(s) this week, we don't have to pay for them. So we signed him out for 3 days this week, saving us some money, and allowing me to spend some nice time at home with him. I have vacation time to spare, so bonus. Given this, I plan to enact the Great Spring Cleaning of 2010, with young Henry by my side for the rest of the week. I can't imagine he'll be too happy about this. He'd rather use the week to enact an epic battle between the Planet Heroes and the Rescue Heroes in his play room, but me, I'll be hip deep in clothes to donate to Goodwill.
A lot of my inspiration recently came from an article in Woman's Day about spring cleaning, referencing the book Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House. Rest assured, I have a copy on reserve for me via the public library, and I'm all excited about it. My good friend Irena gifted me with a Jessie Steele cupcakes apron when I saw her over Easter weekend (THANK YOU!!) and I'm all eager to tie it on and get to work.
I'd like to go through Hank's closet and clear it out of clothes that are too small for him, which are many. *sighs* I need to get those in labeled bags to haul into the storage for use on a potential future baby Catholic Librarian. Hank and will need to subsequently get to Target to get him some spring and summer clothes, which I can't imagine will be cheap. *another sigh* At any rate, that's task number one for tomorrow morning. His dresser drawers, as well, are ridiculous. I don't think Hank needs bibs or drool cloths anymore, yet they still reside in his room.
I also need to go through my clothes to weed out things that I don't wear anymore, and my drawers. I wouldn't mind going through some other closets and drawers throughout the house, especially the 2 *coughs* junk drawers in the kitchen. Shameful.
The only thing is, I know myself, and I hate how I get when I start to do chores like this. I get all manic and rushy rushy, refusing to stop and even take a breath lest I forget to manhandle the pile of crap that I just noticed hiding in the pantry. Hopefully, I'll manage to get a few productive things done and allow myself to relax with Henry a bit. The house always feels so fresh and clean and after a purge like that.
Thus, I likely won't blog tomorrow or Friday, and I never blog on the weekends. If that happens, I assure that I will post on Monday with a full report of my long weekend. Bet you can't wait :)
For the rest of the week, blogging will be sparse to none, since Hank has an "option week" at Pre-K, meaning that if we signed him out for any day(s) this week, we don't have to pay for them. So we signed him out for 3 days this week, saving us some money, and allowing me to spend some nice time at home with him. I have vacation time to spare, so bonus. Given this, I plan to enact the Great Spring Cleaning of 2010, with young Henry by my side for the rest of the week. I can't imagine he'll be too happy about this. He'd rather use the week to enact an epic battle between the Planet Heroes and the Rescue Heroes in his play room, but me, I'll be hip deep in clothes to donate to Goodwill.
A lot of my inspiration recently came from an article in Woman's Day about spring cleaning, referencing the book Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House. Rest assured, I have a copy on reserve for me via the public library, and I'm all excited about it. My good friend Irena gifted me with a Jessie Steele cupcakes apron when I saw her over Easter weekend (THANK YOU!!) and I'm all eager to tie it on and get to work.
I'd like to go through Hank's closet and clear it out of clothes that are too small for him, which are many. *sighs* I need to get those in labeled bags to haul into the storage for use on a potential future baby Catholic Librarian. Hank and will need to subsequently get to Target to get him some spring and summer clothes, which I can't imagine will be cheap. *another sigh* At any rate, that's task number one for tomorrow morning. His dresser drawers, as well, are ridiculous. I don't think Hank needs bibs or drool cloths anymore, yet they still reside in his room.
I also need to go through my clothes to weed out things that I don't wear anymore, and my drawers. I wouldn't mind going through some other closets and drawers throughout the house, especially the 2 *coughs* junk drawers in the kitchen. Shameful.
The only thing is, I know myself, and I hate how I get when I start to do chores like this. I get all manic and rushy rushy, refusing to stop and even take a breath lest I forget to manhandle the pile of crap that I just noticed hiding in the pantry. Hopefully, I'll manage to get a few productive things done and allow myself to relax with Henry a bit. The house always feels so fresh and clean and after a purge like that.
Thus, I likely won't blog tomorrow or Friday, and I never blog on the weekends. If that happens, I assure that I will post on Monday with a full report of my long weekend. Bet you can't wait :)
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